Johnson receives women's Cup call

Johnson will fly out to Macau with the rest of the squad on Sunday

Everton defender Lindsay Johnson has been added to England's World Cup squad after Steph Houghton was ruled out of the tournament with a broken leg.

Leeds United's Houghton sustained a spiral fracture of the fibula meaning Johnson, who has been capped 19 times, will join the squad this weekend.

"I'm over the moon as when I found out that I hadn't made the original squad, it was really tough," she said.

The tournament takes place in China between 10-30 September.

And Johnson added: "I'm obviously gutted for Steph as she's had a fantastic season, and for it to happen just a couple of days before flying out is devastating for her.

My boss was expecting me back at work tomorrow, but I've had to tell them there's been a change of plan! Lindsay Johnson

"After I missed out on the original squad, I went away with the Everton girls for the first qualifying round of the Uefa Women's Cup and it was probably the best thing, as I couldn't sit at home dwelling on missing the cut.

"I came home with a fresh perspective then and was determined to get back into the next squad after the World Cup, and even today I was fitness testing with some of the northern-based girls in the squad in Manchester.

"Pippa, the team doctor told me this morning to keep my chin up, keep working hard, and that you never know what might happen, but I never thought I'd be getting on the plane on Sunday.

606: DEBATE Honestly, I think England will struggle to get out of their group wondergeorge123

"My boss was expecting me back at work on Friday, but I've had to tell them there's been a change of plan!"

England fly out to Macau this Sunday for a two-week training camp, before they arrive in Shanghai on 3 September, ahead of their first group game against Japan on 11 September.

All England's games will be shown live on BBC Two, with kick-off times at 1400 BST.